“This data visualization of Air Traffic in Europe was created from real flight data. It shows the air traffic which flies on a typical summer day and highlights the intensity of the operation in Europe – an operation which runs 24x7x365.” (Vimeo)

This short visualisation shows the sheer amount of air traffic we have going on above us in Europe every single day. It focuses on Heathrow Airport (the busiest international airport in Europe) and Gatwick (the busiest single runway airport in the world). To ensure everything runs smoothly and efficiently is a tough job, but NATS makes it happen. You can read more about the above visualisation on their blog about Europe 24. Below are some vital statistics that they give, which are pretty awesome:

On a typical July day there are around 30,000 flights across European airspace

Approximately a quarter fly within UK controlled airspace

The total distance flown by these aircraft is 25 million nautical miles

That’s 998 times around the Earth

Or 104 trips to the Moon

On 21 June, 5,675 aircraft departed or arrived from UK airports, of which…

2,295 departed from or arrived at Gatwick (894) or Heathrow (1,401)

1,532 were overflights

The video is 1440x faster than real time

I find it incredible how they make the skies seem alive. The 3D shot half way through the video is amazing too. Onwards!